Ayotte Renews Push for Legislation to Strengthen Contracting Oversight in Iraq and Afghanistan
Press Release
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today renewed her call for strengthening oversight of U.S. taxpayer funds for reconstruction projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. In its final report to Congress on management of U.S. government contracting funds during both wars, the Commission on Wartime Contracting found that as much as $60 billion has been wasted or misspent, and that the second largest source of income for insurgents is U.S. contracting dollars. The Commission's report, released Wednesday, is the most recent in a series of investigations that found U.S. taxpayer money had been indirectly funneled to corrupt powerbrokers and insurgents, including the Taliban.
Senator Ayotte, along with Senator Scott Brown (R-MA), introduced the "No Contracting With the Enemy Act" in February, aiming to make it easier for U.S. contracting officials to void contracts with contractors who funnel taxpayer resources to enemies of the United States. At a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee in February, General David Petraeus highlighted the urgency of legislation that would achieve the goals of the Brown-Ayotte bill, testifying that it was needed "the sooner the better." In June, key provisions of the Brown-Ayotte "No Contracting With the Enemy" bill were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. The NDAA now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
"The Commission's report further highlights dangerous shortcomings that must be addressed," said Senator Ayotte. "While the military has implemented some measures to develop better oversight of contracting, it is clear from this report that more must be done. Our legislation would provide contracting officials with the tools they need to help ensure that taxpayer dollars are not funneled to insurgents who are attacking our troops and undermining our interests. Senator Brown and I will continue our efforts to pass these important provisions."
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